6 Saddles

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6 Saddles

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Sr. Martins

Posts: 3079
Joined: Apr. 4 2011

6 Saddles

Has anyone ever tried to cut a bone saddle into 6 parts, one for each string?

I think that in theory it should work better than one piece transmiting vibrations from 6 strings, not to mention how much easier it would be to correct string height but...

Why isnt it done this way? Tradition? Aesthetics? Practicality?

Please, share your thoughts.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 18 2013 23:56:20

Jeff Highland

Posts: 401
Joined: Mar. 5 2010
From: Caves Beach Australia

RE: 6 Saddles (in reply to Sr. Martins)

I have cut a saddle into 3 pieces to correct string volume imbalances with an undersaddle transducer.
Worked great

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 19 2013 0:10:49

Sr. Martins

Posts: 3079
Joined: Apr. 4 2011

RE: 6 Saddles (in reply to Jeff Highland)

Well...

I meant "...besides when you're using transducers."

Just plain old guitar, full saddle vs 6 (or 3) part saddle.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 19 2013 0:16:49

tele

Posts: 1464
Joined: Aug. 17 2012

RE: 6 Saddles (in reply to Sr. Martins)

If you want to cut separate slots for each string it is pretty difficult to do with a router but not impossible. I have seen two piece saddles but that was for intonation.
I dont see any reason why it would work better to have individual saddles.

_____________________________

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 19 2013 9:37:13

jshelton5040

Posts: 1500
Joined: Jan. 17 2005

RE: 6 Saddles (in reply to Sr. Martins)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Rui Martins

Has anyone ever tried to cut a bone saddle into 6 parts, one for each string?

I tried it but couldn't tell any difference in the sound or action. Years ago there was a fellow in Chicago marketing six part saddles. Each piece had three levels so the individual string could be raised or lowered slightly.

_____________________________

John Shelton - www.sheltonfarrettaguitars.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 19 2013 14:16:48

keith

Posts: 1108
Joined: Sep. 29 2009
From: Back in Boston

RE: 6 Saddles (in reply to Sr. Martins)

from david schramm's website about gilbert bridges--the "wavy" saddle looks interesting and one could make the "dips" between each string saddle deeper.

http://www.schrammguitars.com/gilbertbridge.html

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 19 2013 14:21:31

Richard Jernigan

Posts: 3431
Joined: Jan. 20 2004
From: Austin, Texas USA

RE: 6 Saddles (in reply to keith)

I believe Gilbert also made bridges without the conventional saddle. Each string rested on a metal pin that fitted into the bridge.

Torres's favorite guitar, among all he built, La Leona had a bridge without a saddle, like a lute bridge. You can see it at 1:15 in this video I just came across:

RNJ

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 19 2013 18:05:07

keith

Posts: 1108
Joined: Sep. 29 2009
From: Back in Boston

RE: 6 Saddles (in reply to Richard Jernigan)

richard, david's article has both types--the wavy bone saddle and the pylons. they remind me of dental implants--only a whole lot cheaper.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 19 2013 18:33:43

C. Vega

Posts: 379
Joined: Jan. 16 2004

RE: 6 Saddles (in reply to Sr. Martins)

When he was working in Los Angeles in the 1960s, the late Manuel Rodriguez (yes, he of guitar factory fame) developed a bridge with six movable saddles that allowed each individual string to be adjusted for intonation.
The saddles were made of rosewood with a bone insert, or sometimes entirely of bone, and had a dovetail base. The base was carefully fitted into a matching dovetail slot in the main part of the bridge and each saddle could be slid a small amount to adjust the individual string length.
The idea never really caught on. They took a few shots at reviving it at various times but it still didn't fly.

www.dreamguitars.com/detail/2705-rodriguez_concert_536/

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 19 2013 19:02:24

Leñador

Posts: 5237
Joined: Jun. 8 2012
From: Los Angeles

RE: 6 Saddles (in reply to Sr. Martins)

quote:

Manuel Rodriguez

Check out who the FIRST person on their list of famous players is. ROFL

http://www.guitars-m-r-sons.com/famosas.php

_____________________________

\m/

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 19 2013 20:29:45

Sr. Martins

Posts: 3079
Joined: Apr. 4 2011

RE: 6 Saddles (in reply to Leñador)

quote:

Check out who the FIRST person on their list of famous players is. ROFL

http://www.guitars-m-r-sons.com/famosas.php

Thats funny marketing. They dont even say that those people play their guitars. In fact you can even watch Steve Morse, Michael Angelo, Ripper Owens, R. Martin and a few others that are only signing the guitar so Iam guessing it isnt even being offered to them